New $100m fund to improve water quality

A new fund of $100 million of operating
funding over 10 years will support initiatives to clean up
New Zealand’s rivers, lakes and aquifers, Environment
Minister Dr Nick Smith says.

“There are significant
costs for councils and landowners in meeting the
Government’s new national standards for freshwater. This
new contestable fund of $100 million will help communities
improve water quality standards.”

The Freshwater
Improvement Fund is part of a broader package of measures to
strengthen new national standards, introduce new stock
exclusion rules, improve Māori participation and introduce
new requirements for minimising nutrient losses and
efficient water use.

“This fund will help communities
achieve their desired water quality and quantity limits
faster. Recognising the importance of private investment,
priority will be given to projects that include funding from
business or philanthropic funds. By encouraging this funding
now we can achieve significant results for New Zealand and
minimise the long-term clean-up costs,” Dr Smith
says.

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